Farmers talk drought at CPI Ag Expo

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by Josh Egbert

Story Created: Dec 11, 2012 at 6:54 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 11, 2012 at 6:54 PM CDT

The summer's heat may have given way to frost. But, one of the worst droughts in the past 50 years continues. That had farmers talking at the annual CPI Ag Expo in Hastings.

So how worried are farmers about next summer?

Luckily for farmers here in Central Nebraska, most crops are irrigated.
But for those dry land farmers it's definitely a concern. But vendors at Tuesday's expo have a plan, in the form of seeds.

"Brings a lot of people together in one place at one time," said CPI Seed Coordinator Jon Botch.

For the past 11 years, CPI has brought together hundreds of local farmers with vendors from all across the state.

"It's a good opportunity for them to intermix with fellow farmers, they get to meet our vendors and talk to them about the different products they have, so it's a great opportunity," said Botch.

And if there's one thing farmers know things change rapidly.

"I think that's one of the things we know in agriculture, it changes every day, and the issue we had last year with wheat problems, with moisture, this year it could definitely be compounded," said Rhonda Kupke, DuPont Crop Protection.

The drought of 2012 had a profound effect on crops. Something farmers are keeping an eye on for 2013.

"On the irrigated ground it's not near the concern because they have the moisture, but on dry land it's become a real concern this year," said Botch.

Rhonda-""I think we have to look at each year and try and keep the overall aspect of what our produces can bring to the table for the growers."

With those dryland farmers, products are available if the drought continues. Like the new Beam Armor seeds.

"It's a top quality product, it's the best we can find for our growers," said Botch.

And while farmers were busy locking in their 2013 needs, CPI was updating their stockholders on this past year.

"We probably had one of the biggest wheat sales season we've ever had and part of that, I think, was due to the drought," Botch said.

"Sales increased just over a billion dollars for it's a company that seems to be moving forward and we're quite excited about that," said CPI Chairman of the Board Bruce Favinger.

With the unknown of what next summer will bring, CPI says it's important to get input from farmers as well as vendors on what's working and what's not.

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